Device for playing with a water balloon and method of use

ABSTRACT

A device for playing with a water balloon includes a target area which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the water balloon. A plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth are disposed around the target area. A player holds the device and attempts to position the target area so that an incoming airborne water balloon lands completely within the target area and does not land on one or more of the teeth. If the water balloon does land on one or more teeth it will burst.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/280,699, filed Nov. 9, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains generally to recreation, and more particularly to a device and method for playing with a water balloon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of water-filled balloons also known as water balloons is well known in the art. Water balloons are oftentimes used in the play of games. The water balloons can be tossed by one player and caught by another player. The object of the game is for the catching player not to burst the water balloon.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed are a device and method for playing with a water balloon. The device includes a target area around which are disposed a plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth. A player grasps the device, and when a water balloon is directed (tossed, thrown, hit, batted, etc.) toward the player, the player attempts to position the device such that the water balloon lands in the target area, and does not strike one or more of the teeth and resultantly burst. The device can be made in a variety of shapes such as that of a racket, and can come in a variety of sizes.

In accordance with an embodiment, a device for playing with a water balloon includes a target area which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the water balloon. A plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth are disposed around the target area. If the water balloon lands completely within said target area it will not be burst by the teeth. Conversely if the water balloon lands on one or more of the teeth it will be burst by the teeth and the player will be splashed by the water. The object of the game is for the player to avoid getting wet by causing the water balloon to land within the target area and therefore not be burst by the teeth.

In accordance with another embodiment, the teeth have the shape of a frustum.

In accordance with another embodiment, a frame which surrounds the target area, and the teeth are disposed around the frame.

In accordance with another embodiment, one of (1) one handle, and (2) two handles are connected to the frame.

In accordance with another embodiment, the target area includes an elastic member for rebounding the water balloon.

In accordance with another embodiment, the target area includes a pouch for catching the water balloon

In accordance with another embodiment, the target area and the teeth are disposed upon a flexible sheet.

Other possible embodiments, in addition to the possible embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the device and method of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a device for playing with a water balloon;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device being used by a user to play with a water balloon;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a water balloon about to be received by the device;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the water balloon received by the device;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the water balloon rebounded from the device;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a water balloon landing on one or more teeth of the device and being burst;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a target area;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the target area;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the device having two handles;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the device;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the device;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the teeth; and,

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of area 15 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-2, there are illustrated top plan and side elevation views respectively of a device for playing with a water balloon, the device generally being designated as 20. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of device 20 being used by a user to play with a water balloon 500. As used herein the term water balloon 500 includes any thin skinned container which is filled with water. The skin of water balloon 500 can be pierced and the water balloon resultantly bursts. Device 20 includes a target area 22 which is shaped and dimensioned to receive water balloon 500. In the shown embodiment, target area 22 includes an elastic member for rebounding water balloon 500. When water balloon 500 lands on the elastic member it resiliently deforms target area 22, and is subsequently rebounded when target area 22 returns to its original shape (also refer to FIGS. 4-6 and the associated discussion). In the shown embodiment the elastic member is a sheet of elastic material (such as rubber), but could also have the string configuration shown in FIG. 8. It may be appreciated however, that target area 22 could also be made of a non-elastic material such as cloth.

A plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth 24 are disposed around target area 22. If water balloon 500 lands completely within target area 22 it will not be burst by teeth 24 (refer to FIG. 3). However, if water balloon 500 lands on one or more of teeth 24 it will be burst by the teeth (refer to FIG. 7). Teeth 24 are shaped and dimensioned so that they will burst water balloon 500 by piercing its skin. Teeth 24 can be various shapes such as pointed, somewhat rounded, or flat on top (refer to FIG. 14), so long as they are sufficiently sharp to pierce and burst water balloon 500. It is noted that target area 22 is larger than water balloon 500 so that there is room to receive water balloon 500 without landing on teeth 24.

In the shown embodiment, device 20 includes a frame 26 which surrounds target area 22. Teeth 24 are disposed around frame 26. In the shown embodiment, one handle 28 is connected to frame 26, however two handles can also be provided as is shown in FIG. 10. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, frame 26 and handle 28 combine to form a racket. In use, the goal is to position device 20 so that and incoming water balloon 500 will land completely within target area 22, and therefore not be burst by teeth 24. This is best accomplished by positioning target area 22 so that water balloon 500 will land at or near the center of target area 22, thereby minimizing the chance of landing on one or more teeth 24.

It is noted that device 20 can be used in a variety of ways. For example, device 20 can be used by a single user to repeatedly catch and launch water balloon 500. Or, two or more players each having a device 20, can toss water balloon 500 back and forth. Additionally, a net can be employed (such as in volleyball) over which opposing players must toss water balloon 500. In another embodiment, two players can hold the same device 20, and act in unison to properly position target area 22.

FIGS. 4-6 depict the sequence of receiving (catching) and rebounding (launching) water balloon 500. In these figures target area 22 includes an elastic member. In FIG. 4, an incoming water balloon 500 moves toward device 20. Device 20 has been positioned by the user such that water balloon 500 will land on target area 22. FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of water balloon 500 being received by device 20. The force of water balloon 500 causes the elastic member of target area 22 deform. FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of water balloon 500 rebounded from device 20. The elastic member of target area 22 has resiliently caused water balloon to rebound from device 20.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an incoming water balloon 500 landing on one or more teeth 24 of device 20 and being burst. The bursting is a result of the user not properly positioning the target area 22 of device 20. Also in FIG. 7 is noted that in another embodiment teeth 24 can be disposed on both sides of frame 26 so that device 20 can be used from either side.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another embodiment of target area 22. In this embodiment target area 22 includes elastic strings arranged as in a tennis racket (rather than the elastic sheet of FIG. 3) which will rebound water balloon 500.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of target area 22. In this embodiment, target area 22 includes a pouch for catching water balloon 500. The pouch could be a net as shown or solid. In this embodiment device 20 is used in a similar fashion as a Lacrosse racket, wherein water balloon 500 would be caught in the net (without striking one or more of teeth 24), and then launched by rapidly moving device 20 in the direction of the arrow.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of device 20 having two handles 28. One user could grasp both handles 28 (as in grasping a two handled basket), or one player could grasp one handle 28 and another player grasp the other handle 28.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another embodiment of device 20. In this embodiment two handles 28 are part of frame 26, thereby forming a two-handed basket arrangement. It is also noted that in this embodiment teeth 24 are not restricted to frame 26, but rather are also disposed upon a surface 23, thereby making target area 22 smaller and therefore the game harder to play. In this embodiment target area 23 is a net. In this embodiment the user catches water balloon 500 (refer to FIG. 3), and then moves device 20 to launch (throw) water balloon 500 (as in Lacrosse, see FIG. 9). As in FIG. 10, one or two players could grasp handles 28.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are top plan and side elevation views respectively of another embodiment of device 20. In this embodiment target area 20 and teeth 24 disposed upon a flexible sheet 30 (such as of cloth or a polymer). Either one or two players grasp handles 28, position target area 22 to receive an incoming water balloon 500 (refer to FIG. 3), and once receive move flexible sheet 30 to launch water balloon 500.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of one of teeth 24. In this embodiment, teeth 24 have the shape of a frustum (i.e. conical with a flat top). This shape is safer since teeth 24 are less likely to cause inadvertent injury to users.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of area 15 of FIG. 4. In an embodiment, teeth 24 have a longitudinal axis 25 which is perpendicular to target area 22, so that teeth 24 generally point in the direction of an incoming water balloon 500.

Regarding fabrication, frame 26 and handle 28 can be made from a polymer or other material sufficient to support target area 22 and teeth 24. Target area 22 can be made of an elastic material as shown in FIGS. 1-6, and 8, or conversely can be made from a non-elastic material such as cloth as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Teeth 24 can be made from a soft or hard polymer.

In terms of use, a method for a player to play a water balloon game includes: (refer to FIGS. 1-14)

(a) providing a water balloon 500;

(b) providing a device 20 for playing with water balloon 500, device 20 including;

-   -   a target area 22 which is shaped and dimensioned to receive         water balloon 500;     -   a plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth 24 disposed around         target area 22; and,

(c) causing water balloon 500 to be received by device 20 wherein (1) if water balloon 500 lands completely within target area 22 it will not be burst by teeth 24, or (2) if water balloon 500 lands on one or more of teeth 24 it will be burst by teeth 24. It is noted that as used herein the term “receive” means that an airborne water balloon travels and lands upon device 20, preferably completely within target area 22.

The method further including:

in step (b), teeth 24 having the shape of a frustum

The method further including:

in step (b), target area 22 including an elastic member for rebounding water balloon 500; and,

after step (c)(1), water balloon 500 being rebounded from target area 22 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 6).

The method further including:

in step (b), target area 22 including a pouch for catching water balloon 500; and,

after step (c)(1), water balloon 500 residing within said pouch.

The method further including:

in step (b), providing a frame 26 which surrounds target area 22, teeth 24 disposed around frame 26, and a handle 28 connected to frame 26;

prior to step (c), causing water balloon 500 to be directed toward device 20; (the water balloon 500 could be tossed or launched by another player, or by the player holding device 20) and,

in step (c), the player grasping handle and attempting to position target area 22 so that water balloon 500 will land completely within target area 22.

The method further including:

in step (b), providing a racket having a frame 26 which surrounds target area 22, teeth 24 disposed around frame 26, and the racket having two handles 28;

prior to step (c), causing water balloon 500 to be directed toward the racket; and,

in step (c), the player grasping both handles 28 and attempting to position target area 22 so that water balloon 500 will land completely within target area 22.

The method further including:

in step (b), target area 22 and teeth 24 disposed upon a flexible sheet 30;

prior to step (c), causing water balloon 500 to be directed toward flexible sheet 30; and,

in step (c), the player grasping flexible sheet 30 and attempting to position target area 30 so that water balloon 500 will land completely within target area 22.

In further terms of use, a method for a two players to play a water balloon game includes, (refer to FIGS. 10-12). In this embodiment, two players grasp device 20 and in unison attempt to properly position target area 22.

(a) providing a water balloon 500;

(b) providing a device 20 for playing with water balloon 500, device 20 including;

-   -   a target area 22 which is shaped and dimensioned to receive         water balloon 500;     -   a plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth 24 disposed around         target area 22;     -   a frame 26 having two handles 28, frame 26 surrounding target         area 22;

(c) each player grasping one of two handles 28;

(d) causing water balloon 500 to be directed toward device 20; and

(e) the players jointly attempting to position target area 22 so that water balloon 500 will land completely within target area 22.

The possible embodiments of the device and method described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the device and method should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

1. A device for playing with a water balloon, comprising: a target area which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the water balloon; a plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth disposed around said target area; and, wherein (1) if the water balloon lands completely within said target area it will not be burst by said teeth, or (2) if the water balloon lands on one or more of said teeth it will be burst by said teeth.
 2. The device according to claim 1, further including: said teeth having the shape of a frustum.
 3. The device according to claim 1, further including: a frame which surrounds said target area; and, said teeth disposed around said frame.
 4. The device according to claim 3, further including: one of (1) one handle, and (2) two handles connected to said frame.
 5. The device according to claim 1, further including: said target area including an elastic member for rebounding the water balloon.
 6. The device according to claim 1, further including: said target area including a pouch for catching the water balloon
 7. The device according to claim 1, further including: said target area and said teeth disposed upon a flexible sheet.
 8. The device according to claim 1, further including: said teeth having the shape of a frustum. a frame which surrounds said target area; said teeth disposed around said frame; one of (1) one handle, and (2) two handles connected to said frame; and, said target area including an elastic member for rebounding the water balloon.
 9. A method for a player to play a water balloon game, comprising: (a) providing a water balloon; (b) providing a device for playing with said water balloon, said device including; a target area which is shaped and dimensioned to receive said water balloon; a plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth disposed around said target area; and, (c) causing said water balloon to be received by said device wherein (1) if said water balloon lands completely within said target area it will not be burst by said teeth, or (2) if said water balloon lands on one or more of said teeth it will be burst by said teeth.
 10. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b), said teeth having the shape of a frustum.
 11. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b), said target area including an elastic member for rebounding said water balloon; and, after step (c)(1), said water balloon being rebounded from said target area.
 12. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b), said target area including a pouch for catching said water balloon; and, after step (c)(1), said water balloon residing within said pouch.
 13. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b), providing a frame which surrounds said target area, said teeth disposed around said frame, and a handle connected to said frame; prior to step (c), causing said water balloon to be directed toward said racket; and, in step (c), the player grasping said handle and attempting to position said target area so that said water balloon will land completely within said target area.
 14. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b), providing a frame which surrounds said target area, said teeth disposed around said frame, and two handles connected to said frame; prior to step (c), causing said water balloon to be directed toward said device; and, in step (c), the player grasping both of said handles and attempting to position said target area so that said water balloon will land completely within said target area.
 15. The method of claim 9, further including: in step (b), said target area and said teeth disposed upon a flexible sheet; prior to step (c), causing said water balloon to be directed toward said flexible sheet; and, in step (c), the player grasping said flexible sheet and attempting to position said target area so that said water balloon will land completely within said target area.
 16. A method for a two players to play a water balloon game, comprising: (a) providing a water balloon; (b) providing a device for playing with said water balloon, said device including; a target area which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the water balloon; a plurality of water balloon-bursting teeth disposed around said target area; a frame having two handles, said frame surrounding said target area; (c) each player grasping one of said two handles; (d) causing said water balloon to be directed toward said device; and (e) the players jointly attempting to position said target area so that said water balloon will land completely within said target area. 